Crutch



April 15 1940 A. N. THoRssEN 2,197,279

GRUTCH Filed Sept. 5. 1959 ALBERT THURSSEN lnvcutor Patented Apr. 16, 1940 PATENT OFFICE CBUTCH Alben N. nomen, Spokane,

syndicate, Erik ash.

Thomsen Spokan Wash., assigner to H. Johnson, trustee,

Application September 5, 1939, Serial No. 293,315

7Claims.

My present invention relates to an improved crutch of the type commonly used by invalids and other persons needing supplemental support while walking.

It is well known that much discomfort and inconvenience accompany the use of the conventional crutch now available. This inconvenience and discomfort is largely due to the fact that the crutches are provided with cross heads 10 at their upper ends which t into the armpits of the user. This cross head frequently causes abrasion of the skin, and where the use of the crutch is continued over a relatively long period of time brings a maladjustment of the shoulder structure and its relation with the spine.

Conventional crutches are also great handicaps to the user at such times as he may wish to travel in an automobile, due to their length and the inconvenience encountered when it is attempted to stow them out of the way. A need has long been felt for a shorter crutch having greater utility than the conventional article, and it is believed that a crutch constructed according to the principles of my invention, herein taught, solves this problem.

It is an important object of my invention to provide a crutch which does not use the cross head but which is independently supported rigidly through its co-action with the arm of the 11581. Another object of my invention is to provide a crutch having at its upper end a loop through which the arm is inserted that is convenient to use and will eliminate the necessity of the conventional cross head.

A further object of my invention resides in the use, in combination with theaforementioned arm-receiving loop, of a new and unique type of hand grip which is comfortable to use and which co-acts with the arm-receiving loop to enhance the comfort and usability of the crutch.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of novel pivotal means for securing the loop in the upper end of the forked crutch, which means can be readily attached and permanently secured in place d such time as the crutch is in use, but which may be readily removed by the use of simple tools.

Other and important objects of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing accompanying this specifica- 'on, in which I show a preferred embodiment of my invention, and in which I use like numerals to designate like parts throughout the same.

(Cl. 13H9) Figure l is a view in elevation of my crutch in which I have diagrammatically indicated the manner in .which it is adapted to be gripped by the user.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the pivotal action of the arm-receiving loop, and in dotted lines I have indicated another position of the loop obtained through the use of the pivot means, Y

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the arm-receiving loop with a portion broken away for convenience of illustration,

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional View through the arm-receiving loop and the upper forks of the crutch at the point crutch, and

Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of one end of the handle and a portion of one of the .forked arms, illustrating in detail the manner of attachment of the handle to the forked arm.

The numeral I designates a crutch as a whole having a lower solid shaft 2 which is split to form the forked arms 3 and 4. Upon the lower end of the shaft I have indicated a rubber cushion or gripping foot 5 of the conventional type used in such crutches. At the upper end of the fork and between the ends thereof I show and indicate by the numeral Ii an arm-receiving loop or band which is pivoted at 1 and 8 to the legs 3 and 4.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, it will be seen that the band 6 consists of a metal band ring 9 which may be covered with leather or rawhide or any other suitable covering to provide a cushion and a proper trim, but it is to be understood that I do not wish to limit my invention to the use of a covered band or strap.

In Figure 4 the pivot l consists of an interiorly threaded bushing II having a head I2, across the face of which I form a kerf I3. Into the bushing II is threaded a bolt I4 of the type commonly referred to as a carriage bolt which has a head I5 that is curved slightly and presents a smooth surface, and which also has a squared shank I6 adjacent the under side of the head. The band 9 is provided with an opening II therethrough that is also square and adapted to fit around the shank I6 and securely hold it against In assembling the pivotal Il is inserted through the I8 is slipped over the bolt on the outer face of the band. 'Ihe bolt Il is then threaded into the rotatable bushing II, and the bolt I4 is made u connection the bolt band and a washer long enough to extend slightly through the head |2301 the bushing. The outer end of the bolt Il may be riveted or peened at I3 to prevent it from backing out of the bushing Il. Dueto the fact that the head of the bolt is securely held in the band, any movement of the band will cause rotation'of the bushing Il, and its smooth outer surface will easily rotate in the upper ends of the forks 3.and 4.

The metal band strap 9 may be countersunk as shown in Figure 4 at 20 in order that the bolt head l5 will not extend above the general inner contour of the circular strap or band 6, thus presenting a smooth opening having no humps which might cause undue wear to the clothing of the user.

I have found it advisable in certain instances to use a small cross pin 2i above the bore made to receive the bushing Ilwhich is riveted at either end and which will prevent the wood or other material from splitting.

'Ihe handle 22 is secured in spaced relation to the band between the legs 3 and 4 by means of a long transverse rivet 23 and screws or other retaining pins 2I24. It will be noted that the handle 2| has a downward and forward slope to it and that the upper edge 25 is curved to more comfortably and accurately nt the configuration of the palm of the hand. The configuration of the handle serves an important purpose in my crutch, because it permits the user of the crutch to more accurately and securely grip the handle and support his weight so that he need not depend upon shoulder resting in the conventional cross head of the usual crutch.

While in the foregoing paragraph I have described the arrangement or manner in which the handle is secured in the form shown in Figure l, in Figures 5 and 6, to which I now refer, I illustrate another manner of attaching eachend of the handle to the forked arms 3 and I. Upon the inner faces of the arms 3 and 4 I incorporate an inverted, ared dovetail wedge 2E which may be formed out of the material in the forked arm, or which may be a separate piece of hardware fixed to the inner face of the arm. Each end of the handle 22 is provided with a substantially V- shaped complementary seat 21 adapted to t over and cooperate with the element 26, and when properly positioned thereon will securely hold the handle from turning and in turn keep the forked arms 3 and 4 from spreading.

The relatively round, turnable handle of the conventional crutch is not in any way practical in a crutch constructed with the arm loop as disclosed herein, and it is an important feature of my invention that a handle of the nature shown and described be used in combination with the remaining features of the invention, for the reason that in this instance the user of the crutch depends upon his grip in his hands to support his weight and to properly control the crutch.

The shape of the handle, with its downward and forward slope, further enhances and improves the fitof the handle to the configuration of the users hand and insures more positive cooperation between the upper band and the handle.

The loop or band 6 encircles the arm somewhat above the elbow and keeps the crutch in place and prevents it from sliding or slipping outwardly or away from the body.

It is to be pointed out and clearly understood that the loop in the upper end of the crutch may be turned to a substantially upright position and is very helpful when it is desired that the crutch be hung, as in a closet or on a hook.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by letters Patent is:

1. A crutchcomprising a shaft having divergent arms on its upper end, a forwardly inclined curved handle secured between the arms and spaced from the upper ends thereof, and 'an arm-receiving loop pivotally secured between the upper ends of the arms.-

2. A crutch comprising a shaft having divergent arms on its upper end, a forwardly inclined curved handle secured between the arms and spaced from the upper ends thereof, and a rigid arm-receiving loop pivotally secured between the upper ends of the arms.

3. In a crutch having a lower shaft portion and divergent arms extending upwardly therefrom, the combination with a forwardly inclined curved handle grip of means of securing said handle grip to the arms against turning, and a rigid armreceiving loop pivotally mounted between the upper ends of the arms.

4. In a crutch having a lower shaft portion and divergent arms extending upwardly therefrom, the combination with a forwardly inclined curved handle grip of a rivet passing through each arm and through the handle grip, supplemental securing means passing through each arm and into the body of said handle grip and offset from said rivetto prevent the handle grip from turning, and a rigid arm-receiving loop pivotally mounted between the upper ends of the arms.

5. In a crutch having a lower shaft portion and divergent arms extending upwardly therefrom,

the combination with a forwardly sloping curved handle grip having a convergent dovetail seat at either end, a complementary wedge on each inner face of the divergent arms, and a rigid arm-receiving loop pivotally mounted between the upper ends of the arms.

6. In a crutch having a lower shaft portion and divergent arms ,extending upwardly thereon, the combination with a forwardly inclined curved handle grip having a thickness approximately that of the width of the arms and a vertical width substantially greater than said thickness, of means for securing said handle grip to the arms against turning, and a rigid arm-receiving loop pivotally mounted between the upper ends of the arms.

'7. A crutch comprising a shaft having divergent arms on its upper end, a forwardly inclined curved 'handle secured between the arms and spaced from the ends thereof, an arm-receiving loop mounted between the ends of the arms on' pivots, said pivots comprising a rotatable bushing seated in each arm and having interior threads, a bolt passing through opposite sides of said armreceiving loop and secured against turning with relation thereto, said bolt engaging the threads of A said bushing, and means on the outer end of said bolt to prevent it from backing out of said bushing.

ALBERT N. THORSSEN. 

